Used car guide

2008 Renault Modus: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Renault Moduss, from 1,481 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,481MOT tests in 2025
49%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Renault Moduss than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Track rod ends2.8× usual
    Renault Modus
    15.5% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake lights2.1× usual
    Renault Modus
    11.9% All 2008 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 4.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Ball joint1.8× usual
    Renault Modus
    11.5% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Seat belts3.1× usual
    Renault Modus
    5.2% All 2008 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Individual direction indicators1.9× usual
    Renault Modus
    6% All 2008 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars. Exhaust system: 2.6% here, against 9% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Renault Modus MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Renault Modus?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,240Suspension 45%
20101,354Suspension 48%
2009811Suspension 42%
20071,440Suspension 49%
20061,518Suspension 48%
20051,866Lights and electrics 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Renault Moduss registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score